Decorative CD jewel case enclosure

ABSTRACT

An aesthetically pleasing compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus comprising a plastic compact disc jewel case with an integral or attached sealed airtight reservoir. The sealed airtight reservoir is formed of clear crush-proof plastic, acrylic, or other like material. The airtight reservoir contains various liquid and solid materials that create unique design themes. Oil and colored sand, glitter and fluid, colored water, aerated water, or luminescent material are housed in the airtight reservoir. The effect of the solid sand liquid contents is visible through the clear plastic of the reservoir and creates an unique aesthetic visual impression.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTION(S)

[0001] The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/348,092 filed 11 Jan. 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to jewel cases for compact discs and, more particularly, to an aesthetically pleasing jewel case with a sealed reservoir/enclosure having a fluid and a variety of suspended objects encased in the enclosure and visible therein.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background

[0005] Compact discs (CDs) are generally packaged in individual clear plastic jewel cases. For example, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art compact disc jewel case in the open position. As shown in FIG. 1, such jewel cases generally comprise a base and a cover portion connected by a hinge mechanism for opening and closing the case. Generally a paper insert with text and graphics is inserted in the cover to market the CD. The only distinguishing factors between CD jewel cases are the text, the graphics, and the colors used to brand the CD. This is because the physical dimensions of CD cases are highly standardized in order to accommodate existing CD Packaging Equipment, inclusive of labelers and wrappers which can process up to 7000 CD cases per hour.

[0006] There are a number of known cases for holding compact discs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,971 to Grobecker teaches a storage cassette for a disc having a center hole, a bottom section, upright side walls, a rear wall and a front wall and a cover which closes the bottom section at the top and which is held in a closed position by means of a cover lock, the upper side of the bottom section carrying an elastic peg arrangement to retain the disc in its center.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,216 to Nesbitt, et al. teaches a jewel case for a compact laser disc consisting of a transparent hinged case and a disc holder received inside the case.

[0008] Typically, CD jewel cases are molded of black or clear plastic with paper or cardboard inserts with colored text and/or graphics to identify and advertise the contents of the CD. All marketing impact is conveyed by print.

[0009] The prior art is devoid of CD jewel cases or attachments that provide distinguishing ornamental design characteristics embedded within the case.

[0010] Without compromising the existing dimensions of CD Jewel Cases, it would be of great advantage to increase the aesthetic appeal by creating a more interesting and inviting design that attracts the attention of consumers and other observers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a CD jewel case having an integral sealed enclosed area or reservoir in which various ornamental liquid and solid contents reside for creating unique mobile and non-mobile design themes, so as to distinguish CD packaging.

[0012] It is another object to provide a sealed enclosed reservoir area integral to a compact disc jewel case with integral reservoir comprised of crush-proof plastic or acrylic, or other like materials.

[0013] It is yet another object to provide a portable sealed enclosed reservoir area that attaches to a compact disc jewel case with reservoir comprised of crush-proof plastic or acrylic, or other like materials.

[0014] It is another object to provide an airtight and watertight enclosed area attached to a compact disc jewel case, so as to secure liquid and fluid contents of the attachment and to prevent leakage of the contents.

[0015] According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by incorporating a sealed airtight reservoir in a standard compact disc jewel case, and filling the reservoir with eye-catching liquids and/or suspensions to enhance and distinguish compact disc packaging. The reservoir can either be integral to the jewel case or a separate portable snap-on attachment. The compact disc unit comprises a standard compact disc jewel case unit molded of plastic. The base unit is equipped with an airtight reservoir attachment made of clear crush-proof plastic, acrylic, or other like material. In addition, the airtight reservoir attachment contains various liquid and suspended solid materials that create unique design themes.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the airtight reservoir contains oil and colored sand so that when the jewel case is moved, the sand moves inside the compart and creates an appealing visual effect.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the airtight reservoir contains glitter suspended in fluid. The glitter likewise moves when the jewel case is moved and creates an attractive visual effect.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the airtight reservoir contains colored water and colored oil to create an appealing lava-lamp type visual effect.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the invention, water or colored water is inserted into the airtight reservoir and aerated to create a bubble effect.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, luminescent or “Glow in the Dark” material is inserted into the airtight reservoir of the CD jewel case.

[0021] In all of the foregoing cases the effect of the solid and liquid contents is visible through the clear plastic of the reservoir, and creates an unique aesthetic visual impression that appeals to consumers and collectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art compact disc jewel case in the open position.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the compact disc jewel case enclosure of the present invention, inclusive of the jewel case base unit 10 with attached airtight reservoir 20.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side view of the compact disc jewel case enclosure of FIG. 2 with integral airtight reservoir 20.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a side view of the compact disc jewel case enclosure of FIG. 2 with exploded airtight reservoir 20.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the compact jewel case enclosure with the jewel case in the open position.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a composite drawing showing a top view (A), side exploded view (B), end exploded view (C), and end view (D) of a modular airtight reservoir 120 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus in the closed position, inclusive of the jewel case base unit 10 and the integral airtight reservoir 20 according to the present invention. The jewel case enclosure comprises a conventional transparent hinged cover (not shown) which is pivotally attached to the transparent base unit 10. In accordance with the present invention, the airtight reservoir 20 is formed in the left spine of the jewel case enclosure. Decorative liquid and/or solid materials are injected into the top of the airtight reservoir 20 and the reservoir is then sealed shut to prevent leakage of the contents. In this manner, the various liquid and solid material inserted into the airtight reservoir create unique design themes.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a side view of the compact disc jewel case enclosure of FIG. 2 with integral airtight reservoir 20, and FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the reservoir 20.

[0031] Reservoir 20 generally comprises an elongate six-walled enclosure with five of the six walls being integrally formed in transparent base unit 10. The sixth wall comprises a transparent closure flap 22 that is ultrasonically plastic-welded (or is glued) to base unit 10. The length of the reservoir is generally 4⅝″ (the length of a conventional jewel case). Preferably, the spine of the transparent base unit 10 is notched as shown to seat the closure flap 22 thereon.

[0032] The initially-removed closure flap 22 forms an orifice to the reservoir 20 for inserting the liquid and/or solid contents into the reservoir. After insertion of the contents, the reservoir is sealed shut (again by welding or gluing) so that it is leakproof and none of the contents can escape.

[0033] The reservoir may then be injected with oil and sand, colored water, water and glitter, aerated water, luminescent material, or any other like substance, for example, to create the following unique and pleasing visual effects:

[0034] a glitter dome with snow flakes or glitter suspended in water.

[0035] sand art with layers of multi-colored sand.

[0036] a lava effect with droplets of oil suspended in water.

[0037]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the compact jewel case and enclosure apparatus with the jewel case in the open position. The transparent cover 30 is joined to the transparent base 10 by means of a hinge mechanism as in conventional jewel cases. The airtight reservoir 20 containing various liquid and solid materials resides behind the hinge.

[0038] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the airtight reservoir 120 is formed as a modular unit for snap-fit insertion into the base unit 10 of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a composite drawing showing a top view (A), side exploded view (B), end exploded view (C), and end view (D) of the modular airtight reservoir 120 inclusive of cover 122 and trough 124. The modular airtight reservoir 120 generally comprises an elongate transparent cover 122 that fits upon a notched trough 124 to form a six walled air-tight enclosure.

[0039] As before, the initially-removed cover 122 forms an orifice to the reservoir 120 for inserting the liquid and/or solid contents into the reservoir. After insertion of the contents, the reservoir is sealed shut (again by welding or gluing) so that it is leakproof and none of the contents can escape.

[0040] The entire sealed enclosure 120 then snaps into the base unit 10 (see FIG. 2).

[0041] Both of the foregoing embodiments provide a CD jewel case having an integral sealed enclosed area or reservoir in which various ornamental liquid and solid contents reside for creating unique mobile and non-mobile design themes, and this aesthetically distinguishes the CD (or DVD) packaging. The sealed enclosed reservoir is comprised of crush-proof plastic or acrylic, and provides an airtight and watertight enclosed area so as to secure liquid and/or fluid contents and to prevent leakage of the contents.

[0042] Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims: 

I claim:
 1. A compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus, comprising: a compact disc jewel case base unit, said base unit including a transparent airtight sealed reservoir for housing liquid and solid materials to provide an aesthetic visual effect.
 2. The compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir contents are oil and sand.
 3. The compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir contents are fluid and glitter.
 4. The compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir contents is colored water.
 5. The compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir contents is aerated water.
 6. The compact disc jewel case enclosure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir contents is luminescent material.
 7. A compact disc jewel case, comprising: a compact disc jewel case base unit including a transparent airtight sealed reservoir, said reservoir further comprising a five-walled receptacle integrally formed in said base unit and a reservoir cover attached over said receptacle; a jewel case cover pivotally attached to said base unit; an ornate fluid material in said reservoir for providing an aesthetic visual effect.
 8. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 7, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises oil and sand.
 9. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 7, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises fluid and glitter.
 10. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 7, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises colored water.
 11. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 7, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises aerated water.
 12. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 7, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises luminescent material.
 13. A compact disc jewel case, comprising: a compact disc jewel case base unit including a receptacle integrally fonned in said base unit; a jewel case cover pivotally attached to said base unit; and an airtight sealed reservoir comprising a six-walled enclosure filled with ornate fluid material snap-fit into the receptacle of said base unit for providing an aesthetic visual effect.
 14. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 13, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises oil and sand.
 15. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 13, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises fluid and glitter.
 16. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 13, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises colored water.
 17. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 13, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises aerated water.
 18. The compact disc jewel case according to claim 13, wherein said ornate fluid material comprises luminescent material. 